Crazy new details emerged in the case of a female American Airlines passenger who claims her drunk seatmate followed her to the bathroom and raped her. In an interview with the Dallas Morning News she provides new information regarding the aftermath of her flight from Phoenix to New York last June. During the red-eye flight, the 31-year-old says that the man seated next to her already appeared drunk during boarding.
“My first thought was this guy’s drunk. He was super chatty. I’ve flown a lot. I’m used to people saying hello. This is the most anyone has sat down and started talking to me.”
The female passenger claims that although her seatmate was clearly drunk, the flight attendants continued to serve him alcohol. A few hours in she got up to use the bathroom and says the man followed her inside and raped her. She immediately reported the incident to the flight attendants who reacted by relocating her to a middle seat at the back of the plane. She claims they alerted authorities upon landing, but they simply took her to the hospital and didn’t take any action against the male passenger as the incident happened in the air and would have to be investigated by the FBI.
“I was feeling overwhelmed,” she said. “All of a sudden, I was thrown in a middle seat, bawling. On top of being sad and hurt and scared, I was also embarrassed.”
The female passenger now wants to sue American for allowing the drunk man to board the flight and for continuing to serve him drinks. Here’s the most outrageous part of the article, her attorney says that American responded with a letter in December calling her story a “nuisance claim” and offering her a $5k settlement!
“I’m coming out now because [American] hasn’t made it evident it wants to change this,” Lane said. “What’s going to stop this from happening again unless I make a big fuss about it?”
American followed up with the paper and had this to say:
“We want to apologize that we missed the mark on assuring Ms. Lane how seriously we take her complaint, the company has put new procedures in place in recent months that call for proactive passenger outreach from the customer relations department after reports of onboard disturbances, including sexual misconduct.”
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14 comments
You can’t even look at a woman without them crying rape anymore. There is no way they both went in the bathroom without anyone seeing her put up a fight. If he made it in there, she clearly wanted it and only after it happened did she regret it and see a payday from American.
Really?? Did you just say this?? OMG!! Ya, a woman is never raped, they just ask for it – maybe she was wearing suggestive clothing… It never ends…
The walls of an airplane bathroom are nearly see through. How did this whole thing happen and nobody hear her cries for help? Not once has she complained that nobody came to help her due to her screaming.
No. Just no.
Wow. You sound like a lovely person.
This story does not sound true. I’m only hearing her side of the story and I don’t believe her. There’s no way a jury is going to believe her once the defense presents their side of the story.
A rape kit should have been completed and his DNA would have been collected upon landing when she went to a hospital. I don’t understand why the man wouldn’t have been arrested as well.
Airplane bathrooms are extremely small and the first thing you do once you get in with 300 other passengers in tow with you is lock the door.
This story us confusing, but until the truth is revealed no one should be called a liar.
This.
Since when is rape “sexual misconduct” pretty sure its sexual assault… American you are still missing the mark.
For those blaming the victim, until there’s reason to doubt, why are you doubting?
I’ve flown many times and I doubt there is anyway a person can be raped or assaulted in a plane bathroom without someone hearing them scream STOP. Lady sit your ass down and shut up.
Everyday a new suspicious rape accusation is made. How many people have been falsely imprisoned because of false rape accusations? How many women have been raped with out justice? Many. What should happen, rapist should be released from this world, and if a women is caught lieing she should pay the same way.
If this is true it’s horrible. And it may be true….
BUT … I’m beyond fed up with deep pocket “blame the company” mindset. Why is she making a bigger stink about AA than the man (perpetrator) that committed the crime?! Why is it so often that the “company” and “deep pocket opportunity” seems to serve to let the perpetrator somewhat off the hook? Why is his name not being splattered all over social media?!
I am curious at the hugely implied lack of compassion and action while in flight. The middle seat comment throws me off. Was it all that was available? Did the FA offer other acts of compassion? Was there a witness to the both of them entering the lavatory? Again, my issue with the middle seat comment is it seemingly diverts attention to the airline.
The story may be true. And sure, airlines should be more productive regarding intoxication. I’ve commonly informed FAs when I think a passenger is already drunk or has had too much. That aside, I don’t like the hugely implied aspect that the victim is more concerned about AA than her perpetrator. AA can’t keep all crimes from happening any more than a school, church, or other.
Next school shooting let’s just focus on the school district. It’s their fault.
Something doesn’t add up. Not saying this didn’t happen, but, I have difficulties just fitting myself into the aft lavatory on a 738 I am uncertain how 2 full size adults could occupy the space and manage to have the door be closed…then the space required to perform the act? Even more space if involuntary?
Not saying it’s impossible, but, we’re definitely short a few details here.
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